TNT Renews Southland

In slightly confounding but pleasant news, TNT has picked up the not particularly well-rated cop drama Southland for a third season. The show is basically on its third life: First NBC canceled the curse-bleeping series before its second season had even started airing (thanks in part to NBC's lack of 10 p.m. slots during the ill-fated Leno experiment). That's life one. Then TNT picked it up, airing all six of the episodes that had been filmed for NBC, to lousy ratings. Life two. Now TNT has agreed to film ten original episodes, to be broadcast beginning January 2011.

In the press release announcing the deal, TNT says it picked up the show because it's "a challenging, visceral show that engages viewers with its immersive style, provocative storylines and complex characters [that has become a] favorite among critics and appointment viewing for an extremely loyal audience." But, obviously, TNT is just joining sibling network, and new home to Conan, TBS in sticking it to NBC. The peacock's garbage is the Turner empire's treasure. Soon they will be bringing back Veronica's Closet, Quarterlife, and Lipstick Jungle just to prove anything NBC can do, cable can do way better.

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